Matthew
A tax collector who got up from his booth when Jesus said, "Follow me."
New Testament · 1st century · Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts · Also known as Levi, Matthew the publican
About Matthew
Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector sitting at his customs booth when Jesus said, "Follow me." He "left all, rose up, and followed him," then threw a great feast at his house for Jesus with many tax collectors and others. When religious leaders objected, Jesus answered, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick… I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew became one of the Twelve. The Gospel of Matthew has traditionally been attributed to him, though it doesn’t name its author.
Matthew has no recorded words in the Gospels, so this guide speaks about him. Tax collectors worked for Rome or Herod’s rulers and were widely despised as collaborators, often thought dishonest. Matthew’s calling shows Jesus welcoming those others shunned.
The story
Follow me
"Jesus… saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him." Luke adds that he "left all."
Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27-28
A great feast
"And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them." The Pharisees asked, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"
Luke 5:29-30; Matthew 9:10-11
Not the righteous, but sinners
Jesus answered, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Matthew 9:12-13
Key moments
- Called at the customs booth: "Follow me." (Matthew 9:9)
- Leaves all: And follows. (Luke 5:28)
- Hosts a great feast: For publicans and sinners. (Luke 5:29)
- Named among the Twelve: "Matthew the publican." (Matthew 10:3)
Questions about Matthew
Why were tax collectors disliked?
Tax collectors gathered money for the Roman authorities or their local rulers, and many took more than was owed. The Gospels often pair "publicans and sinners," and John the Baptist told tax collectors, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you." So when Jesus ate at Matthew’s house, the Pharisees asked, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"
Are Matthew and Levi the same person?
Very likely. Matthew’s Gospel tells the calling of "a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom," while Mark and Luke tell the same story of "Levi the son of Alphaeus" at the same place, followed by the same feast. Matthew is the name used in the lists of the Twelve. Having two names was common.
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 5:27-32.